U.S. patent number 4,521,650 [Application Number 06/432,898] was granted by the patent office on 1985-06-04 for mounting apparatus for a control lever.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Caterpillar Tractor Co.. Invention is credited to Charles W. Oswald.
United States Patent |
4,521,650 |
Oswald |
June 4, 1985 |
Mounting apparatus for a control lever
Abstract
In the operator's station of many construction vehicles, there
is a critical lack of space in which to mount the control levers
(12) used to operate the vehicle. The use of mechanical linkages
and motion translating devices between the control lever (12) and
the actuator has required complicated mechanisms and excessive
hardware for the mounting and positioning of the respectively
connected components. The mounting apparatus (10) of this invention
overcomes these problems by employing a detent mechanism (38) that
functions as a rotational positioner between the control lever (12)
and an actuating switch (60) assembly as well as an axial
positioner used in the mounting of the respective components. The
mounting apparatus (10) allows the control lever (12) and the
actuating switch (60) to be mounted together for rotation about a
single axis (X) to provide a very axially compact mechanism.
Inventors: |
Oswald; Charles W. (Decatur,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
(Peoria, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22167943 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/432,898 |
Filed: |
April 19, 1982 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 19, 1982 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US82/00489 |
371
Date: |
April 19, 1982 |
102(e)
Date: |
April 19, 1982 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO83/03577 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 27, 1983 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/61.88;
74/540; 200/565; 74/473.36; 74/531; 200/556 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H
59/04 (20130101); F16H 61/24 (20130101); G05G
5/065 (20130101); Y10T 74/20177 (20150115); F16H
59/044 (20130101); F16H 2059/047 (20130101); Y10T
74/20714 (20150115); Y10T 74/2066 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
G05G
5/00 (20060101); F16H 59/04 (20060101); G05G
5/06 (20060101); F16H 61/24 (20060101); B60K
020/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;74/475,531,540
;308/237R,237A ;200/291,61.91,61.88 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
481915 |
|
Mar 1952 |
|
CA |
|
0075693 |
|
Apr 1983 |
|
EP |
|
2298827 |
|
Aug 1976 |
|
FR |
|
582687 |
|
Nov 1946 |
|
GB |
|
1408609 |
|
Oct 1975 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Dorner; Kenneth J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perry; William C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A mounting apparatus (10) for a control lever (12),
comprising:
a support member (16) defining a generally cylindrical aperture
(24) along a central axis (X);
the control lever (12) defining a generally cylindrical portion
(90) having a groove (92) disposed therearound and a plurality of
indentations (93) on the cylindrical portion (90) spaced along said
groove (92) in a common plane (A--A) normal to the central axis
(X), the cylindrical portion (90), of the control lever (12) being
rotatably received within the aperture (24) of the support member
(16); and
means (38) for positioning the control lever (12) both axially and
circumferentially within the support member (16) by selected
engagement with the groove (92) and the indentations (93).
2. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein said means (38)
is disposed within a radially oriented passage (28) that is
positioned in the support member (16) and opens onto the aperture
(24).
3. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein the means (38)
includes:
a detent assembly having a plunger (42) and a spherical element
(40) associated therewith positioned in the passage (28); and
biasing means (48) for urging the plunger and spherical element
(40) toward engagement with the groove (92) and the indentations
(93).
4. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein the groove (92)
and the indentations (93) are formed on an upraised rib (92) that
is circumferentially disposed about the cylindrical portion
(90).
5. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein a non-thrust
absorbing bearing (96,98) is positioned between said support member
(16) and said cylindrical portion (90).
6. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 4 wherein a bearing is
positioned on each side of the rib (92).
7. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein the indentations
(93) are spaced from each other a preselected distance to provide
rotationally indexed positioning of the lever (12) with respect to
the axis (X).
8. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 1 wherein the control lever
(12) is biased in an axial direction and engagement of the means
(38) with the groove (92) opposes the biasing force as the control
lever (12) is rotated out of engagement with the indentations (93)
to maintain the position of the control lever (12) with respect to
the common plane (AA).
9. In a mounting apparatus (10) having an axially biased control
lever (12) rotatably mounted within a console (14) for movement
with respect thereto, the improvement comprising:
a support member (16) defining a generally cylindrical aperture
(24) along a central axis (X) and a plurality of radially oriented
passages (28) opening onto the aperture (24);
the control lever (12) defining a generally cylindrical portion
(90) having an upraised rib and a groove (92) disposed therearound
and a plurality of indentations (93) formed along the groove (92)
in a common plane (A--A) normal to the central axis (X), the
cylindrical portion (90) of the control lever (12) being rotatably
received within the aperture (24) of the support member (16);
a sleeve bearing (96,98) positioned between said support member
(16) and said cylindrical portion (90); and
means (38) for positioning the control lever (12) both axially and
circumferentially with support member (16) by selected engagement
with the groove (92) and the indentations (93), said means (38)
being substantially disposed within said passages (28).
10. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 9 wherein a pair of
non-thrust absorbing bearings (96,98) are positioned between the
support member (16) and the cylindrical portion (90) on opposite
sides of the rib (92).
11. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 9 wherein the means
includes:
a detent assembly having a plunger (42) and a spherical element
(40) associated therewith, positioned in the passage (28); and
biasing means (48) for urging the plunger and spherical element
(40) toward engagement with the indentations (93).
12. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 9 wherein the indentations
(93) are circumferentially spaced from one another along said
groove (92) in preselected increments.
13. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 8 wherein a switch
assembly (60) is mounted on said support member (16) in spaced
relationship to said plane (A--A).
14. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 13 wherein said switch
assembly (60) further includes:
a casing (64) having a plurality of electrical contacts (66)
positioned therein; and
a rotor (68) having a contact engaging member (70), said rotor (68)
being rotatably received within said casing (64) for selective
engagement of the contact engaging member (70) with the electrical
contacts (66).
15. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 14 wherein a second
cylindrical portion (100) having a first end (101) connected to the
first cylindrical portion (90) and a second end (104) connected to
the rotor (68) of the switch assembly (60), is positioned along the
axis (X) to provide movement of the rotor (68) in response to
movement of the control lever (12).
16. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 14 wherein the electrical
contacts (66) of the switch assembly (60) are positioned within the
casing (64) along a common radial arc in preselected increments
corresponding to the incremental spacing of the indentations
(93).
17. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 14 wherein the electrical
contacts (66) of the switch assembly (60) are connected to a
control unit of a transmission having a plurality of gear ratios
and movement of the contact engaging member (70) of the rotor (68)
between each of the switch contacts (66) results in the shifting of
the transmission from one gear ratio to another.
18. The mounting apparatus (10) of claim 9 wherein the movement of
the control lever (12) is rotationally indexed by the engagement of
the means (38) with the indentations (93) and axially positioned
with respect to the common plane by the engagement of the means
(38) with the groove (92) upon movement of said means (38) out of
engagement with said indentations (93).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a mounting apparatus for a
control lever and more particularly to a detent assembly employed
by the apparatus that axially locates relatively movable components
of the mounting apparatus with respect to each other while also
functioning as a rotational positioner as the movement occurs.
BACKGROUND ART
In the mounting of control levers in the operator's station of a
work vehicle, the amount of available space is always of primary
concern. The recent trend of replacing mechanical levers and
linkages with electronic componentry has alleviated some of the
problem, as in instances wherein electrical switches are actuated
by the control lever. The switches are connected to a master
control unit which will in turn cause the particular component to
which it is attached to functionally respond to the command of the
control lever. Electrical wiring is often used to replace levers
and linkage, and since no housing other than sheathing is required,
the wires can be routed to virtually any location without any
significant use of space.
While electronic componentry saves space in its connection between
the actuating switch and the controlling unit, there still must be
a mechanical connection between the control lever and the
switch.
In many designs, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,040
assigned to the assignee of this invention, a deficiency in
available lateral space requires that the control lever and the
switch be mounted in elevationally spaced relationship to each
other within a console. If the switch happens to be a rotary
switch, a mechanism, such as a bevel gear drive, must be
incorporated into the mounting to translate the motion of the
control lever into a plane coincident with that of the switch.
The motion translating mechanism, while not requiring any lateral
space to speak of, will occupy vertical space within the console by
requiring individual mounting and positioning means for the various
components.
While the design disclosed in the patent functions satisfactorily,
the additional bearings and positioning mechanism required to align
the lever, switch, and the motion translating mechanism causes the
entire apparatus to become fairly complex and expensive, while
still requiring a relatively large amount of overall space within
the console.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the
problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a mounting apparatus is
disclosed having a support member which defines a generally
cylindrical aperture which extends along a central axis. A control
lever, which defines a generally cylindrical portion, is rotatably
received within the aperture of the support member. A plurality of
indentations are positioned along a groove that is formed on the
cylindrical portion in a common plane which lies normal to the
central axis. A positioning means selectively engages the groove or
the indentations of the cylindrical portion of the control lever
and positions the control lever both axially and circumferentially
with respect to the support member.
In another aspect of the present invention a mounting apparatus for
an axially biased control lever is disclosed. The control lever
defines a cylindrical portion which has an upraised rib which has a
groove disposed therearound and a plurality of indentations formed
along the groove in a common plane. The cylindrical portion of the
control lever is rotatably received within an aperture extending
through a support member along a central axis. A plurality of
passages are positioned in the support member that open onto the
aperture and are radially oriented with respect to the axis. A
sleeve bearing is positioned between the cylindrical portion of the
control lever and the support member to allow relative rotation
between the two components. A positioning means is located within
the passages of the support member and selectively engages the
groove and the indentations on the rib. The positioning means
locates the control lever both axially and circumferentially with
respect to the support member.
With a mounting apparatus of this type, a rotary switch may be
mounted to the support member along the axis of the cylindrical
portion of the control lever. This arrangement places the switch
and the control lever in the same axis of rotation thus eliminating
extensive connecting mechanisms. Also, since both the control lever
and the switch are mounted to the same support member, the
positioning of both components is greatly simplified and the entire
mounting comprises a very compact unit. The positioning means also
accommodates the axial force that results from the bias of the
control lever, thus obviating the need for thrust bearings in the
mounting apparatus. Thus, the mounting apparatus remains very
simple in construction and is very economical in its use of low
cost, non-adjustable bearings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary side view of a mounting
apparatus for a control lever embodying the principles of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary end view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic enlarged sectional view taken along line
III--III of FIG. 5;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic, enlarged sectional view taken along line
IV--IV of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic enlarged sectional view taken along line
V--V of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic enlarged sectional view taken along line
VI--VI of FIG. 3.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, a mounting apparatus 10 for a control
lever 12 is shown which is housed within a frame or console 14. The
mounting apparatus includes a support member 16 which is releasably
secured to a sidewall 18 of the console 14 by a plurality of
mounting bolts 20.
The support member has a central body portion 22 which has a
cylindrical opening or aperture 24 formed therethrough (FIGS. 3 and
5). The opening 24 defines an inner cylindrical surface 25 in body
portion 22 and is positioned about an axis X. An arcuate projection
26 extends from the central body portion in a radial direction with
respect to the axis. A plurality of passages 28 are defined within
projection 26 and are centered on a plurality of axially aligned
radii R. The radii intersect the axis X to establish a common plane
A--A. The passages have a first end 30 that opens onto surface 25
of opening 24. A second end 32 of the passages opens onto an outer
surface 34 of arcuate projection 26 and is provided with a threaded
portion 36.
A plurality of detent assemblies 38 are placed within each of the
passages 28. Each detent assembly includes a spherical element such
as a ball 40 which is engaged on one side thereof by a plunger 42.
The plunger has a first annular portion which forms a seat 43 which
receives ball 40. A guide member 44 extends from the plunger and
forms a radially extending connecting face 46. A biasing means such
as spring 48 is also located within passage 28 and has a first end
49 that engages face 46. The spring surrounds the guide member 44
of the plunger which serves to retain the spring in its proper
position with respect to the plunger. A closure element or plug 50,
is threadably received within the threaded portion 36 and bears
against a second end 52 of the spring 48. Being so arranged, ball
40 is urged toward the first end 30 of the passage 28 and into the
cylindrical opening 24 by the spring 48 as it acts between the
plunger 42 and the plug 50. In the illustrated embodiment, four of
such detent assemblies are positioned within the arcuate projection
26. The size of each spring in the detent assemblies may be varied
along with the number of detent assemblies used to establish a
desired cumulative spring force.
A pair of mounting legs 54 and 56 extend from support member 16
from diametrically opposed locations. The leg 54 is connected to
the central body portion 22 while leg 56 is connected to the
arcuate projection 26. Both legs extend parallel to axis X and each
has formed thereon a mounting surface 58 (FIG. 2). The mounting
surfaces, which are also diametrically opposed terminate at a
location which is axially spaced from the central body portion 22
of the support member 16.
A switch assembly 60 of well known construction is shown in FIGS. 2
and 4 having a printed circuit board 62 secured within a generally
rectangular casing 64. The circuit board defines a plurality of
electrical contact points 66 that are spaced from one another in 10
degree increments and are disposed in a common radial arc. A rotor
68 is also mounted within the casing for rotation relative thereto.
A contact engaging arm 70 extends from the rotor and is positioned
for movement along the radial arc defined by contact points 66.
Contact arm 70 selectively engages each individual contact point to
complete a circuit between that contact point and one of a
plurality of electrical posts 71 that form the male portion of an
electrical socket 72. The posts extend from the casing 64 and
receive a female terminal 73 of a wiring harness 74. The wiring
harness in turn, delivers an electrical impulse to the main control
unit (not shown) of an implement, which in this case is a vehicle
transmission. The switch assembly 60 is mounted to the mounting
surface 58 of legs 54 and 56 of housing member 16 by a pair of
threaded fasteners 76. It will be apparent that the mounting of the
switch casing in this manner allows the switch to be positioned so
that the axis of rotation of the rotor will coincide with axis
X.
A shaft member 88 is positioned along axis X and has a first
cylindrical portion 90 that is located within opening 24 of support
member 16. An upraised annular rib 91 (FIG. 3) is formed
circumferentially around cylindrical portion 90 at the approximate
axial midportion thereof. A groove 92 is formed circumferentially
about rib 91 to create a relatively shallow depression in the
surface of the rib. A plurality of spherical seats or indentations
93 are formed along the groove in spaced relation to each other for
a distance of approximately 160.degree. and have a greater depth of
depression than that of the groove. The shaft is positioned within
the support member 16 with the groove being aligned with balls 40
of detent assemblies 38 and thus plane A--A. The balls are urged
into engagement with either the groove or the indentations by the
springs 48. The diameter of the first cylindrical portion 90 is
less than that of opening 24 which forms a space 94 therebetween. A
pair of non-thrust absorbing sleeve bearings 96 and 98 are located
in the space on each side of rib 91 to allow relative rotation
between the shaft and the support member. A second cylindrical
portion 100 of shaft 88 extends axially from the first cylindrical
portion 90. Cylindrical portion 100 has a reduced diameter and
joins the first cylindrical portion on one end 101, defining a
radially extending face 102 on the shaft. A distal end 104 of the
second cylindrical portion terminates within a centrally disposed
socket 106 of the switch rotor 68. The socket is substantially
round except for a flat portion or land 108 defined by the socket.
The land registers with a similar land 110 on cylindrical portion
100 so that the rotor will move in aligned, coordinated response to
the rotation of the shaft 88.
The control lever 12 has an upper portion 112 that extends through
a slot 114 that is formed in a cover member 116 of the console 14.
A plurality of lever position indicators 118 are situated along one
wall 115 of the slot. A lower lever portion 120 projects downwardly
from the cover member 116 and terminates at a location adjacent the
radial extending face 102 of shaft 88. The lower portion 120 is
substantially flat so as to be mounted directly to the radially
extending face 102. The lever is then secured to the face by
mounting bolts 126. The lower portion of the control lever is
formed of spring steel which biases the lever against the wall 115
of the slot.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
In operation of the control lever 12, which in the illustrated
embodiment controls a transmission, the lever is movable along slot
114 of console cover member 116. The lever is biased against the
wall 115 of the slot so as to always be adjacent the position
indicators 118 which correspond to one of a plurality of gear
ratios in which the transmission may operate. With the movement of
the lever, rotation is imparted to the shaft 88 by way of its
connection with the lower portion 120 of the control lever. As the
shaft is rotated, the balls 40 of the detent assemblies 38, which
nest within the indentations 93 formed on the shaft, are
simultaneously urged out of engagement with the indentations. As
the balls leave the indentations they remain engaged with the
groove 92 until the adjacent indentation is moved into alignment
with the balls. In this way, engagement of the detent assemblies
with the indentations provides a stop for each gear ratio in the
transmission. The indentations are positioned approximately
10.degree. apart and their spacing is coordinated with the spacing
of lever position indicators 118. For each stop or detent, the
control lever will be positioned opposite one of the
indicators.
When the rotation of the shaft causes the detent assemblies to
become positioned within the shallow depression provided by groove
92 as previously described, the spring force applied by the detent
assemblies provides a centering bias to hold the groove in
registration with plane A--A. Thus the shaft 88 is retained from
axial movement with respect to the support member 16 which would
occur as a result of the axial force created by the biasing of the
control lever against the sidewall 115.
Also, with the movement of the control lever and the resulting
shaft rotation, the movement of rotor 68 of switch assembly 60 is
effected. As it rotates, the contact arm 70 moves from one
electrical contact point 66 to the next. Since the contact points
are also positioned in 10.degree. increments, the detents will
retain the positioning between the contact arm and contact points
as well as the positioning of the control lever as previously
described.
Alternatively, I contemplate that the ball 40 of the detent
assemblies 48, may be constructed of a one-piece plunger having a
spherical protrusion for engagement with the indentations 93. The
groove and indentations, while being described as being formed on
the upraised rib 91, may be formed in the surface of the first
cylindrical portion 90. Likewise, the rib 91 could be positioned
along one edge of the cylindrical portion, with a single sleeve
bearing located between the shaft 88 and the first cylindrical
portion 90. Also, while the shaft 88 and control lever 12 are shown
mounted to each other by bolts 126 it is conceivable that they may
be formed in one piece.
Thus it may be seen from the foregoing description that the detent
assemblies 38 provide a means to retain the rotational positioning
of the shaft 88 as well as providing a means for axially
positioning the shaft within the support member. With the present
positioning arrangement, axial forces that occur as a result of the
biasing of the control lever 12 against the sidewall 115 of slot
114, are accommodated by the seating of the balls 40 within the
spherical indentations 93 while the control lever is stationary or
by the seating of the balls 40 within the groove 92 during the
rotation of the shaft. This in turn, obviates the need for thrust
bearings in the mounting apparatus and results in a greatly
simplified structure. Also, rotation of the control lever 12 and
the switch assembly 60 occur along a common axis. This enables the
entire mounting apparatus to remain very compact and easily mounted
where little space is available.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be
obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the
appended claims.
* * * * *